I will definitely come back next time – this has been such a great week of learning and making new friends and colleagues.
Is this what I’m looking for?
Are you a practitioner in leadership development, OD or coaching?
Are you curious, innovative and creative in your practice?
Are you looking to connect with others to build a community of practice, to learn and explore new thinking and ideas, develop joint working opportunities or new partnerships?
If the answer to any, or all, of these questions is yes, we’d love you to join us at our next event in May 2026.
Such a treat to spend time with other people who do the same kind of work, where there was no pressure to do anything but think and chat and learn.
Past events
I was initially intimidated by some of the expertise in the room, but was always made to feel welcome, heard and connected with.
What can I expect?
Situated in a private, spacious and beautifully renovated farmhouse, nestled in the stunning landscape of the Derbyshire Peak District, we will spend three days together to be creative, think innovatively, be disruptive in practice and share knowledge about how we can differently work with our clients.
Building on the successful format of the first Practitioner event in Spring 2024 - and based on a something to share, something to learn basis - we’ll all bring things we would like to explore and discuss. This year’s sessions ranged from exploring the impact of AI on our clients and our practice, to testing long loved models for currency and applicability, work on identity and diversity and coaching approaches.
To be clear, this won’t be an OD conference or programme. There will be no succession of experts with answers. Instead, it’s an opportunity for us to explore some questions we don’t have answers to and collectively share our knowledge, experience and ideas.
In between times, we will cook and eat together, enjoy the beautiful venue and the gorgeous walk around us, sit and chat in the lovely spaces – or take some time for ourselves, to sit on our own to reflect; to just be.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a deeply experienced practitioner, very new to the work, or everything in between. The only requirement is that you are interested in developing yourself or your practice and enjoy the company of other people in similar work.
Good reminder that we can still learn, I didn’t expect to get as much out of it as I did.
The details bit
When
Our next dates are:
- Spring: 12.30pm Tues 19th May to 10am Fri 22nd May 2026
Where
-
Bleaklow Farm, Derbyshire
Who
- Practitioners in leadership development, OD and coaching
Costs
-
£1500 to cover accommodation and food
Contact us
Ate and drank well – which was unexpected! And laughed a lot.
What next?
The place is stunning, I felt really well looked after and came away utterly refreshed.
If you want to discuss the programme or reserve a place please contact us here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our intention is to provide the space, time and community to enable you to think about your practice as a practitioner in OD/ leadership development. We want to surround you with a community of people who can support, challenge and stimulate your thinking.
This is not a ‘progamme’ we are not here to direct your learning. We aim to create a space for exploration, where experienced and less experienced practitioners can come together to learn with and from each other.
The retreat starts at lunchtime on Tuesday to 9.30am Friday.
Please talk to us and we will do our best to accommodate you.
A non refundable deposit of £500 is required on booking. Full payment kicks in 4 weeks before the event.
Up to 12 participants, all working in coaching, facilitation, development or consulting. Some will be very new to the work, others very well established, and everything in between.
The event is fully catered, and we are happy to flex to suit individual needs/diets and preferences.
We will provide a breakfast buffet for you to help yourselves to, lunch will either be a similar buffet arrangement or one of the groups may make lunch for everyone. Evening meals will be provided and we often end up cooking together. There will be snacks and treats available for any daytime (or night-time!) grazing needs.
The whole week will be very informal so bring clothes you feel comfortable being in. The venue is surrounded by spaces to walk but it can get muddy underfoot and be ready for very seasonal weather!
The venue supplies towels, shampoo, soap and hairdryers in each room.
The venue has WIFI so you can be in contact, though of course we will encourage you to disconnect from work and any outside stressors that you can.
There are washing and drying facilities and irons and boards.